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Nickel Plated

by Aric Davis (Goodreads Author)

3.8 of 5 stars 3.80 · rating details · 233 ratings · 66 reviews

It was weird to just get a contact out of nowhere. She was a kid, though, I could tell that from just the few minutes on the phone, and kids have a funny way of finding me. I?m pretty sure it's just the world's way of reminding me that I owe a debt for Dad. Whoever the girl was, she either needed help or was setting me up. I?ve run enough angles that I?m sure there are a f...more

Paperback, 200 pages

Published March 22nd 2011 by AmazonEncore

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Jul 09, 2012 Amy rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: young-adult, 2012

This was a fascinating book and I loved getting to see inside this kid's head. I would love a sequel to see how things work out for him, since the book just...ended. I don't consider it an ending.

I think Nickel is supposed to be 12? He seemed more 14 to me, but living on one's own can change things. He still had emotions, still got scared, got distracted by girls, etc.

But the one thing I absolutely hated was Chapter 36. Everything had been leading up to that moment, where his plan gets put into...more

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Jun 12, 2012 Liviania rated it 2 of 5 stars

Another novel I've been having trouble with is the more obscure NICKEL PLATED by Aric Davis. Nickel is a 12-year-old runaway who makes his money as a detective - and a drug dealer and blackmailer. The blackmail is fine, since he's blackmailing pedophiles and turning them in. The drug dealing is less fine, but at least it's only marijuana. Still enough to get the poor kid he has selling it in trouble. (I don't just mean with the law. I mean with other people who might consider the high school the...more

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May 30, 2011 Leslie rated it 4 of 5 stars

Aric Davis has pulled off quite a feat with Nickel Plated. If Raymond Chandler were alive and jumping on the YA bandwagon, this is the book he'd have written. (And I bet Andrew Vachss wishes he'd written it.)

Nickel is a fixer. You got a problem? He's got a solution. And while his rates are high, he's got a soft spot for kids in trouble. Probably because he's a kid. Yep, you got it. Nickel is an eleven-year-old Sam Spade, with the tools of a modern era. School and home life don't get in his way,...more

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May 22, 2011 Monster added it · review of another edition

Nickel is a twelve year old runaway who’s gone to ground. He disappeared from the foster care system two years earlier, after years of abuse, and now he’s on his own. Now, if there’s a job you need done, whether it’s spreading counterfeit money or tracking down your son, he’s your guy. Carefully camouflaged as a typical kid, he’s rarely noticed and often underestimated. A survivor, he’s observant, paranoid, well-armed, and prone to lucky hunches. He’s also a risk taker, with no compunction about...more Nickel is a twelve year old runaway who’s gone to ground. He disappeared from the foster care system two years earlier, after years of abuse, and now he’s on his own. Now, if there’s a job you need done, whether it’s spreading counterfeit money or tracking down your son, he’s your guy. Carefully camouflaged as a typical kid, he’s rarely noticed and often underestimated. A survivor, he’s observant, paranoid, well-armed, and prone to lucky hunches. He’s also a risk taker, with no compunction about blowing up a telephone pole with a pipe bomb if he thinks it will get him the information he needs. Nickel also sells pot and blackmails pedophiles to pay the bills. Since he has this money to support himself, he can take on the case when Arrow asks him to search for her missing sister. For Nickel, rescuing other kids from bad situations, and especially sexual predators, is personal.

As an adult reader who’s read Robert Parker’s Spenser novels, I felt echoes of Spenser throughout: Nickel’s wiseguy dialogue, his willingness to take on what seems like lost cases for free, and his stance that you stand up for what’s right even at personal cost. The hardboiled language is jarring, since I don’t expect any twelve year old to talk like that, and Nickel doesn’t seem to have reservations about doing things that are unethical (like actively helping counterfeiters and selling pot) but if Spenser raised a kid, one with technological savvy, violent tendencies, and a survivor’s mentality, that kid might turn out something like Nickel. Teens who read Nickel Plated probably won’t pick up on this- they’ll just be caught up in the gripping story, the environment he’s created (he has a serious weapons cache and knows how to use it), and the curious relationships he has with the adults in his life. They may also identify with the struggle to fit in and protect that hard shell, even when you’ve chosen to step outside the mainstream.

Nickel Plated gets into dark territory. Child pornography, chatting up pedophiles, kidnapping and selling children… these are really stomach-turning, and it’s difficult to read. Davis leaves quite a bit unsaid- we can guess, but don’t know for sure, exactly what happened with Nickel before he finally escaped foster care, because he’s never able to fully talk about it. And there is no real happy ending. While it can be awfully hard to sympathize with Nickel, readers will feel their hearts break with him. Unusual, thought-provoking, and horrifying at times, Nickel Plated is a sharp contrast to much of the fluff in the YA market today. The author, Aric Davis, will be an attraction as well- he is a piercing artist and punk rocker. That combination alone ought to pull in some recalcitrant readers. Highly recommended.

Contains: Violence, implied child pornography, references to pedophilia, references to masturbation, child selling

Review by Kirsten Kowalewski(less)

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May 18, 2011 Doret rated it 3 of 5 stars

Finding a good YA mystery is not always easy. Usually I like the premise but not the story. That was not the case here. 12 yr old Nickel is a runaway from abusive foster homes. He vows to never to return and is living on his own.

Nickel tracks down pedophiles online and works as a private investigator. Adults must pay for his services but Nickel helps other kids for free. Arrow goes to Nickel, she believes her younger sister Shelby was kidnapped. Nickel takes the case and discovers an ugly crime...more

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Feb 10, 2011 Chibineko rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: amazon-vine, thriller

I have to admit that for reasons of my own, I’ve really been looking forward to reading this book. The premise was interesting & I have to admit that the excerpt was pretty enticing. Nickel is an Artemis Fowl type character as far as his intelligence & street savvy go. (Of course there are no supernatural creatures in this book & Nickel isn’t rich like Fowl is.)

I really enjoyed reading this. It might have had some pretty adult subject matter but it proved to be a nice easy read that...more

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Jan 20, 2012 E.D. Martin rated it 2 of 5 stars

I put this book down not too far along because I just couldn't get into it. For one, the narrator is supposed to be twelve, but his voice was that of a 30-yr-old man - thoughts, actions, and dialogue just didn't ring true for a kid his age (and I should know; I work with teenagers every day).

The tense was jumpy too. For example:

"I unhooked the chain and decided to bike on over to Four Oaks. It was near enough to the park, and I still had some time to kill. I hopped on the bike and got pedaling.

"...more

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Oct 12, 2012 Jenna Anderson rated it 4 of 5 stars

An Excellent Author

I am so divided regarding this book. On the one hand it's a page-turner. I was late for work and appointments on more than one occasion because I didn't want to stop reading. Davis weaves an intricate story. His characters are vivid and likeable. Setting and emotion - both very strong.

On the other hand, I just couldn't believe many parts of the story. Yes, I know this is fiction, but it has to ring true in certain aspects - scent dogs not finding their prey, an affluent family...more

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Feb 13, 2012 Sue rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: ya

Nickel is a kid on his own who helps other kids with problems that no adult is taking care of. He was in foster care and was abused and decided he’d do better on his own. And he has. He has remembered the lessons his father taught him. Nickel is a very jaded 12 year old who has organized his life to fly below the radar. His main client in this book is Arrow, whose sister has disappeared. She doesn’t see her parents or the police making much progress, so she gets in touch with Nickel.

This book i...more

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Feb 24, 2013 Karol Gajda rated it 3 of 5 stars

I appreciate the work that goes into something like this, but I'm surprised that AmazonEncore didn't provide better editing. This is not a dig at the author, of course, but there were lots of grammatical mistakes that shouldn't have been.

That's not why it gets 3 stars though. (My rating system: 1 star = hated; 2 stars = didn't like; 3 stars = enjoyed it; 4 stars = really good; 5 stars = great)

The story of Nickel was fun, but it was so unbelievable at times that I couldn't suspend reality. If he...more

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Mar 01, 2013 Abeille rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2013-books-wtm-challenge

I wish we could give half stars, as really this book is more than a three though not quite a four. This book was very interesting - like a classic noir with a modern spin. The protagonist is a flawed hero who lives outside the law to survive, though he certainly has a moral code. And he's only twelve years old. In many places, this story is disturbing but it works. There are some necessary suspensions of disbelief (could any 12 year old really be so competent in so many different areas) but the...more

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Sep 30, 2011 Rosemary rated it 4 of 5 stars

Nickel is a hard-boiled 12-year-old boy who has escaped from abusive foster care and is now on a mission to rid the world of pedophiles and make plenty of money in the process. He also acts as a 'kid detective' to help other kids for free. His mission in this book is to find a beautiful young client's abducted little sister.

I found the story very engaging. The writing style draws you in fast and it's very funny at times. Like many heroes, Nickel's feats required a certain amount of suspension of...more

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Jul 21, 2011 Allison rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: modern

This book took me by surprise. I read it on a whim when I came across it at the library. I'm a little puzzled as to its classification as ya or adult. I found it on the adult shelves at the library, but I've heard others refer to it as ya. It really could go either way.

The story follows a 12-year old boy who has escaped from a series of foster homes and now lives on his own, making money by growing weed and scamming child predators, and solving mysteries. The material can be pretty grim and seri...more

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Jun 02, 2012 Talyn rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: Home Alone movies meet pedophiles

Shelves: adults-are-monsters, annoying-character, child-abuse, fighting-against-all-odds, genius-character-s, hate-the-ending, hate-the-main-character, he-shes-just-a-kid, kidnappers-serial-killers-bad-guys, me-vs-them, not-what-i-expected, psychological, realistic-fiction, running-away, secrets, shitty-childhood, sisters, sister-bond, teen-issues, ya-novels

This book is good.. but I had a few issues with it.

First off, I hated the main character. I don't know why. And I don't even think I actually "hate" him.. I think it's more like I'm bemused by him.

His James Bond-like way of doing things, all of his money earned from sniffing out pedophiles to selling weed to high schoolers and whatnot.. It's so unbelievable. I just can't believe a 12-year-old would have the mindset to do all that. Nickel was abused; he hides from authority, owns a little house a...more This book is good.. but I had a few issues with it.

First off, I hated the main character. I don't know why. And I don't even think I actually "hate" him.. I think it's more like I'm bemused by him.

His James Bond-like way of doing things, all of his money earned from sniffing out pedophiles to selling weed to high schoolers and whatnot.. It's so unbelievable. I just can't believe a 12-year-old would have the mindset to do all that. Nickel was abused; he hides from authority, owns a little house and pays the rent, goes to painstaking lengths to think out all of his outfits, what lines to use when calling people, the type of bike to ride so he doesn't stick out, etc. It's just too well-thought out. 12 year olds are pretty stupid, you know. A 13-year-old, I'd immediately think differently. I'd say, "Mm, it's POSSIBLE". But 12 years old? For some reason that makes it seem completely farfetched. 12 months is too much of a difference, lol..

This was Aric Davis's debut novel and it is well-written in light of it being realistic fiction, but I still had a hard time swallowing that a 12 year old could be this.... independent and self-sufficient.

The main reason why he acted the way he did was because he was in an abusive foster home, but that is touched on only lightly and hinted at, especially when Nickel is thinking about stuff related to it, like pedophiles and the kidnapped child Shelby he is supposed to locate.

What kind of pissed me off was how detached Nickel was to everything. He has to in order to survive and keep on his toes and avoid getting caught, but even when it relates to something he himself has suffered through -- possible child molestation, but most definitely SOMETHING -- he just looks at it from a CSI investigator point of view. All business, no feeling whatsoever, which made me angry. Is he so dead that he can't even feel a little bit for these children suffering? He's just worried about making sure he can take as many pedophiles down as possible, he doesn't really go all Mother Theresa on the kids, doesn't really.. connect with them..

But that's not even really the point of the story.

BOTTOM LINE: This is what you get when you mash up the ingenuity of Macaulay Culkin of Home Alone and seriousness of a hardened 30 year old man who takes any odd job no matter what it is as long as it pays , as well as a flimsy back story of an abusive foster home.
(less)

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Mar 04, 2011 J. rated it 4 of 5 stars

This edgy, adventurous book brings something a little bit different into the young adult arena. The protagonist, Nickel, has been through a lot of things that kids his age shouldn't have to deal with. He has endured some tough situations, and instead becoming angsty and victimized, he's come out as the ultimate survivor - the kid who intelligently enacts revenge by taking down one creep/perv at a time.

Nickel is a little powerhouse of hard work. Through his opportunitistic, um, non-traditional me...more

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Feb 11, 2013 Dave Holzer rated it 5 of 5 stars

I'd never guess this was Aric Davis' first published book. You can read the book's description for info on the story but I just want to commend on the writing. The story and characters are great and Davis does a fantastic job painting the scene. I've read a few spy thriller type books lately, some good, some bad, and am really impressed that Davis did such a great job providing scene and character detail without anything seeming contrived. The story moved at a great pace and the back shadowing w...more

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May 21, 2011 Michael rated it 5 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Nickel is a runaway from an abusive foster home who has used his street skills and natural talents to become both a kid detective and a vigilante who scams adults who prey on children. If it sounds a little too much to believe, well, that’s the point. It’s a terrific adventure story, told from the point of view of a young teenager who sees himself for who he is but, for all his well-earned cynicism, has a naïve view of the world. This makes him an endearing, engaging character that you pull for...more

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Nov 02, 2011 Shannon rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: what-s-new-ya-2012

To say that Nickel had a bad experience in foster care is the understatement of the century. He decides he's never going back and what's more, he's decided to avenge exploited and abused children by exposing and punishing as many pedophiles as possible. To support his mission, he sells weed and does some PI work. His latest assignment is to help super-hot Arrow find her little sister Shelby who has been abducted. What follows is a suspenseful find-the-girl story with plenty of fascinating charac...more

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Apr 02, 2011 Jessica rated it 3 of 5 stars

Nickel Plated was definitely a lot different than anything I've read lately. Nickel is the type of character that only comes along once in a while, because he's a little bit tough to love. In fact it took me a few chapters to really get into who he was, but once I was invested in him I learned a lot. He's self-sufficient and has financial freedom that most people my age dream about. On top of that he is so multi-faceted. A hard kid on the exterior, but a lost little boy who just is looking for s...more

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Apr 17, 2011 Kathy Martin rated it 5 of 5 stars

Nickel is 12 and a survivor. He escaped from a horrible foster care situation as is living on his own. He makes his money growing and selling pot, blackmailing internet predators, and working as a private detective. He handles cases with kids for free. When Arrow comes to him because her 11 year old sister Shelby is missing, Nickel gets on the case. He quickly finds a nasty ring of child selling which brings back the memories of the life he managed to escape. Nickel is a terrific hero in a black...more

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Mar 13, 2013 Dawn rated it 3 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book, which I borrowed for free through Amazon Prime. It's told in the first person by a 12-year-old boy who was formerly abused and has figured out a way to live independently outside the system. He is involved in some illegal means of making money, but also takes on PI jobs, mostly in cases involving children who need his help. I appreciated the fact that, although there are some sensitive subjects dealt with, the descriptions were not graphic in any way. This was a quick, fun r...more

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Aug 03, 2012 Scott rated it 4 of 5 stars

So I'm standing in the library killing time looking at an end cap containing maybe half a dozen books. A librarian walks by, points at this one and say, "This is a great story. Really great."

Random endorsement by a librarian? Sold.

I knocked this thing out in maybe three hours. It was hard to put down. I like Davis' writing style: choppy, breezy, straight to the point. He balances light humor with truly dark moments and I found the details of how a hard-boiled, street smart 12-year-old lives al...more

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Apr 06, 2011 Britta rated it 4 of 5 stars

Woh! This book was action packed, edgy and put me incredibly on edge at times. For fans of action, and all things controversial, or any one who's been wronged by an adult, I recommend reading on because Nickel Plated is a book practically written for you.

The story follows Nickel, a twelve year-old boy who's history in foster homes has caused him to grow up rather quickly. He now lives on his own, hiding behind lies and using scams to make money. When young, beautiful Arrow comes to him looking...more
Woh! This book was action packed, edgy and put me incredibly on edge at times. For fans of action, and all things controversial, or any one who's been wronged by an adult, I recommend reading on because Nickel Plated is a book practically written for you.

The story follows Nickel, a twelve year-old boy who's history in foster homes has caused him to grow up rather quickly. He now lives on his own, hiding behind lies and using scams to make money. When young, beautiful Arrow comes to him looking for help in finding out what happened to her missing sister, Nickel realizes that until now he's gotten off easy- coming out alive isn't a given anymore, and now that he's got something to live for, dying isn't an option.

Nickel is the strong willed, intelligent, hero for all kids who have ever been wronged by an adult. He bends the law and hides behind a extravagantly woven tale, yet not once will a reader find him/herself chiding him for his wrongs. Everything he does seems to be the price for avenging the hurt of many children who weren't able to do it themselves.

This book had drugs, counterfeit money, marijuana, fighting, guns, sex offenders and child trafficking. The scary part of this novel, to me, was not all that it contained, but that fact that it took a twelve year-old to try to fix the situation. I was lucky to have a happy childhood, sheltered from dangerous adults. But I wasn't sheltered from the truth, I know the terrors that some children go through, and Nickel Plated is like the power anthem for all of those victims. In that way, Nickel Plated wasn't just a story about all that is wrong in the world, it was a story about making everything right and showing children that not only do they not have to subject themselves to the will of dangerous and sick adults, but they have the power to make a difference.

Nickel Plated is a kick-ass novel (literally) that boys will love, and girls will enjoy as well (after all, I am a girl). I would highly recommend it to teens 13 and up.

*Thanks to Amazon Encore for supplying me with an advanced reader's copy(less)

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Mar 26, 2011 Keyona rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: blog-tours

Nickel Plated was truly an unexpected good read. Obviously I am always skeptical when trying out a new author, but Aric Davis shows that a new kid on the block can still bring it. It brings an original plot featuring a kid who's had to grow up way before his time. Instead of feeling sorry for Nickel he makes us readers root for him all the way.

Nickel grew up bouncing from foster homes until finally he decided he'd had enough and escaped. He took what little money he had and tried to make a life...more

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Mar 13, 2012 Lisa Donadio rated it 4 of 5 stars

I think the subject matter of this book may be a little heavy for the YA section but what the heck do I know---I have been reading Stephen King since I was a tween. Anyway, I just finished "A Good and Useful Hurt" which I really enjoyed so I grabbed this one next even though it is supposed to be geared toward a younger crowd. I really enjoyed this book--I know I did because I read it super fast. I won't bother with the details as you can find them in the blurb but I will be watching this author...more

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Feb 04, 2012 Erica rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011, thriller, american

This was the first book I read during my trip to Scotland as my friends eagerly pushed it into my hands, and I must say that it did not disappoint. The story follows a 12-year-old who supports himself through selling marijuana (although he doesn't use it himself) and solving crimes. He seems to specialize in catching pedophiles thanks to part of his own troubled past in the foster care system. This book does require a healthy suspension of disbelief because the narrative voice doesn't really rin...more

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Jul 21, 2011 Kristen rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: youngadult, realistic-fiction, mystery, arc

Why I read this: It came up as a Teen Book Scene tour and it sounded like a cool read. :) Something definitely different from what I usually read.

Plot: Nickel is his alias, and he runs all sorts of scams to hurt the pedophiles in this world. You find out quickly, how jaded Nickel is, but he can't even resist his hormones when he meets Arrow and falls in love. He takes on her case of a missing sister for free and finds himself entangled in a case that proves dangerous and worth all the risks. I l...more Why I read this: It came up as a Teen Book Scene tour and it sounded like a cool read. :) Something definitely different from what I usually read.

Plot: Nickel is his alias, and he runs all sorts of scams to hurt the pedophiles in this world. You find out quickly, how jaded Nickel is, but he can't even resist his hormones when he meets Arrow and falls in love. He takes on her case of a missing sister for free and finds himself entangled in a case that proves dangerous and worth all the risks. I love the realistic edge this book has, the way that the reader can just feel Nickel for everything he has. He's brilliant in a way that really opens your eyes to the realism he sees and that exists around us.

This plot definitely moved - there were some side jobs, but the book focused on Arrow and her need to find her sister Shelby. There's a great scene in the book that I promise not to give too much away about but there's a shootout at some point and it just reminded me of a scene from a movie, that's how well it was written. And I think I actually hollered during the scene because it was so good and kept you on the edge. It was also a "YES" moment, in a good way - I can't explain it. You need to go out and buy the book and read it and you'll know exactly what I mean. So good.

I seriously think this is the best book I've read all year and will be the best book of the year for me, no doubt. Now, I just hope that Aric Davis will write a brilliant second novel featuring the young and awesome Nickel, for I need to see more of his adventures.

Characters: Nickel was a totally killer character. Someone wrote that he was a bit like Artemis Fowl, but I can't completely agree. He's definitely an anti-hero, a kid who you'd probably pass by on the street and think nothing of. But he's incredibly cunning, filled with this amazing ambition to put away pedophiles for good, even if it costs him his life doing it. And he has all the street-smarts as well. He knows even when he has to grocery shop, he has to act like a normal kid again. He has precise methods to what he does and how he does it and he is the least kid-like kid I've ever read in a novel. Definitely a jaded and adult-like character, but Nickel still has a bit of innocence in him and that comes out when he is with Arrow.

Arrow is also an incredible character. Someone who is sure of herself and is genuine with Nickel, more than I think you understand from his point of view. She's beautiful and determined and doesn't hesitate to do what she needs in order to get her sister back.

And I love all of the characters. Especially Eyepatch, the random guy who sits at the park each day and Rhino, a man who runs a gym that teaches people to fight and believes in Nickel more than anyone else in the novel - even if he doesn't outright show it. And even Lou, the driver is an interesting character. All of the characters in this book pop out at you and come to life. I'll say it again, you need to go and buy this book now.

Relatability: For anyone who hates pedophiles, loves anti-heros, and can deal with the nitty-gritty realism of life - this is a book for you.

Cover Commentary: Not the best, at least there's a kid with a bike on it. Seems a little retro for me. But, don't judge a book by its cover, eh?(less)

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Apr 12, 2011 Ashley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: review-copy, own, blog

Originally reviewed on my blog, Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing.

Nickel Plated by Aric Davis is the story of Nickel, a 12 year old who ran away from foster care 2 years ago and has been living on his own since then. He supports himself by growing pot and selling it to high school students and blackmailing pedophiles he finds in internet chat rooms. He also does private detective (esque) work on the side for people referred to him through word of mouth. Adults he charges. Kids, he helps for...more Originally reviewed on my blog, Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing.

Nickel Plated by Aric Davis is the story of Nickel, a 12 year old who ran away from foster care 2 years ago and has been living on his own since then. He supports himself by growing pot and selling it to high school students and blackmailing pedophiles he finds in internet chat rooms. He also does private detective (esque) work on the side for people referred to him through word of mouth. Adults he charges. Kids, he helps for free.

I'm still not completely sure how I felt about this one. I loved the premise- 12 year old boy: anti-hero, hero, vigilante. I also have to admit that I kind of liked that Nickel targeted pedophiles. People who hurt children make me sick. So I was very interested to see how that angle would be handled. While I liked the idea of this book, I'm still not sure how I feel about the execution.

Nickel was a little bit too good at what he did for me to believe him. He is 12. I get that he's had a really tough life. I get that kids are stronger, smarter, and more capable that adults often give them credit for. I know that extreme situations or circumstances find a way of drawing more out of us than we thought we had to give. I get it. But I have a really hard time believing that a 12 year old kid is capable of doing everything that Nickel does throughout the book. And too many things just fell into his lap. Too many pieces of the puzzle were just sort of handed to him. It was just a little bit too far-fetched for me to believe.

I also felt a bit of disconnect throughout the whole story. You read the book, and you hear these horror stories from Nickel, see into this horrid cesspool of humanity, but I never felt like it was emotional. Nickel earns an income from blackmailing pedophiles he finds in internet chat rooms. He does this because of his past, so that no other kid will ever have to live through the horrors he's had to deal with. And sure, we are told about a shudder here, or a oft repressed memory there, but I never felt Nickel's emotions here. It was all telling. We are told that Nickel could probably use a hug, would like a mom and misses his dad something fierce. But it's never really felt. It's like Nickel thinks if he talks about the emotions enough he will start to feel them, but he doesn't, not really.

But, even though there were a few things that I struggled with while reading this book, overall I did really like it. I think the book would have been a little more believable had Nickel been 14 instead of 12, because a lot changes in those 2 years, and a lot of maturing takes place. His thoughts and reactions to all things female would have been more believable (I have yet to meet a 12 year old who finds adult women 'hot'.) But Nickel really was a great character. He genuinely wants to make sure that other kids have a better life, to make sure that none of these other kids every have to suffer through the hellish childhood he had. When he was talking about other kids, and making them safer, that is where I felt like Nickel was real. There were sometimes I didn't necessarily believe his emotions, but never when talking about protecting kids. It breaks my heart that this 12 year old kid feels so responsible for others, feels so much like he must be the protector. Someone needs to give that boy a hug.

Books like this make me want to become a foster parent, when I reach a stage of life where I'd be able to. I want to take kids like this and prove to them that not everyone is bad, that not everyone will hurt them. Nickel needs that. He's done an admirable job of living on his own, and taking care of himself, but there are some things that a kid that age should never have to worry about. It hurts that he does.

So, overall, even though there were some things about this book that didn't necessarily work perfectly, it's definitely one that I am glad I read, one that I will recommend, and although I don't know if there are any plans for a sequel, I would definitely be willing to read about Nickel in the future. It's a story with a solid core, and Davis has potential as a writer. There is some stuff that needs to be tightened up, or fine-tuned, but I can really see Davis growing as a writer in the future, and I wouldn't mind watching him grow as a writer as Nickel grows as a character.(less)

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Mar 21, 2011 Jael rated it 3 of 5 stars

Last week, I came across a group of pre-teen boys at a local deli. They were begging the owner for some free soda. Pleading for soda!! They said they were broke and would pay the owner back later. I thought to myself, "It will be 10 years before they truly know what the word BROKE means." If they had to, would they know how to survive on their own? What do they know about the world? Which leads me to my latest review, Nickel Plated by Aric Davis.

The title character, Nickel, is a very resourceful...more Last week, I came across a group of pre-teen boys at a local deli. They were begging the owner for some free soda. Pleading for soda!! They said they were broke and would pay the owner back later. I thought to myself, "It will be 10 years before they truly know what the word BROKE means." If they had to, would they know how to survive on their own? What do they know about the world? Which leads me to my latest review, Nickel Plated by Aric Davis.

The title character, Nickel, is a very resourceful 12-year-old boy. We don't even know his real name. Nickel is an acronym he picked up after his turbulent time in foster care, which included sexual abuse. Nickel once had a foster father he could look up to, but his death was the end of anything good in his life. Leaving foster care and adult supervision behind, Nickel finds ways to survive. Years of abuse have left Nickel with a thick skin, making his actions seem more like that of an adult.

He blackmails would-be pedophiles, sells marijuana and offers his services as a private investigator. He develops the financial freedom that even some adults don't have. Nickel even manages to rent a house. He has allies in a local gym owner and several other adults who ignore Nickel's lack of parental supervision. This is where I have slight problem. How long could a child really do this without raising eyebrows? How many 12-year-olds would have the ingenuity to trap pedophiles on the internet and then scam them out of money? Of course this 12-year-old is a special one.

However, Nickel does have a soft spot for fellow children. Nickel is instantly smitten by Arrow, a local high school girl. Her sister is missing and feared dead. Arrow seeks Nickel's help, fearing the police won't find her sister. It is Nickel's interactions with Arrow that remind me he truly was a child. He wishes he was her boyfriend, even going so far as to imagine a future together. I'm sure most pre-teen boys have fantasies like this. Arrow's beauty manages to crack Nickel's hardened shell.

The conclusion is filled with violence, including dodging bullets. While there are moments in the book that are a stretch of the imagination, Nickel is definitely an interesting character. He experiences moments of fear, but doesn't show it. He is more resourceful than most adults. The end will leave you hopeful for his future. I wonder what's in his future?

Rating: Give it a try

Notes: I received a copy of the book from the authors publicist, Little Bird Publicity, in exchange for an honest review. For more on author Aric Davis, visit http://aricdavis.com/(less)

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Feb 10, 2013 Dennis rated it 5 of 5 stars

this was the first book that Mr. Davis got into print and WOW. I love his writing style and the way he has approched a very dark subject matter. His hero is somebody you can't help but root for and he has managed to make a 12 year old tough. If you like crime noir then you must give this book a try. I plan on reading eveything he has in print now and begging for another chance to follow Nickel as he sticks it to the predators among us.

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About Aric Davis

Aric Davis is married with one daughter and lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan where he has worked for the past fourteen years as a body piercer. A punk rock aficionado, Davis does anything he can to increase awareness of a good band. He likes weather cold enough to need a sweatshirt but not a coat, and friends who wear their hearts on their sleeves. In addition to reading and writing, he also enjoys...more

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